Learning to Let Go of Those Things You Can’t Control

I spent a couple of hours in and out of waiting rooms on Friday, waiting to hear what the tests on my eyes revealed. Like a prophet, I overheard a Christian woman provide some profound advice. Chatting with a woman next to her, she replied, “I’ve learned you have to let go of those things you can’t control.”

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

Almost an hour later, I was prepared for the bad news that I received. While various medical terms spoken were foreign to me, I was told eye surgery was imminent. The doctors advice was the sooner was better, causing my mind to race about how this will change my life. Yet, as the woman in the waiting room professed, you can’t worry about things beyond your control.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love, 1 John 4:18.

One of Jesus’ disciples shines some light on this topic. Whenever faced with something beyond your control, fear is a common response. However, the cure to overcoming this is the perfect love found in Jesus Christ. As I cope with what awaits me in the next few weeks, I can’t say I am confident. Nonetheless, my hope lies in Christ alone as I trust God’s providence to oversee that which I can’t control.